Local & Regional

1:28 pm

Wed April 6, 2011

Fire Danger Increasing

Tulsa, OK – Oklahoma Forestry Services (OFS) reports that a large portion of Oklahoma remains under a Red Flag Warning until 8 p.m. this evening. This warning is in effect for counties in southwestern and eastern Oklahoma.

Continued high temperatures, low humidity and strong, gusty winds have persisted for several days resulting in extreme fire danger. Caution should be taken with any outdoor activity that could spark a wildfire. Under these conditions, sparks can ignite easily and fires will spread quickly. All outdoor burning is discouraged.

"OFS crews are providing aircraft and firefighting assistance to departments on fires in Sand Springs, Keystone Lake and Tulsa-Jenks areas," said George Geissler, Oklahoma State Forester. "As this spring fire season and drought continue, we have seen an increase in fire activity, difficulty in fire suppression efforts and increase in firefighter fatigue. I expect this situation will continue until we receive significant rainfall."

Dry, windy conditions remain in the forecast for the next several days and it will take a significant amount of rainfall to end the severe-to-extreme drought conditions across the state. The public is urged to remain vigilant and is asked to report any suspicious smoke or fire to the nearest fire department.

There are currently 47 counties under a burn ban. For the latest information and wildfire daily situation reports, visit www.forestry.ok.gov.